key term - Mutation

Definition

A mutation is any change that occurs in the DNA sequence. It can lead to variations within species and potentially new species altogether.

Related terms

Point Mutation:

This is when one base pair in the DNA sequence is replaced by another.

Frameshift Mutation:

This happens when an extra base pair is inserted into or deleted from the DNA sequence, shifting the reading frame and often resulting in drastically different proteins being produced.

Chromosomal Mutation: These are mutations that affect whole chromosomes or large segments of them, including multiple genes at once.